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The Philippine Air Force welcomes its first batch of new combat utility helicopters as it orders 6 Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters at a ceremony at Clark Air Base, Pampanga, on December 10, 2020. DND
CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) welcomed its first batch of new combat utility helicopters by ordering six Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters in a ceremony here on Thursday (December 10).
NOW: Commissioning of 6 Black Hawk Helicopters for the Philippine Air Force pic.twitter.com/bgZKyUcP20
– Frances Mangosing (@FMangosingINQ) December 10, 2020
The helicopters formally entered service after being delivered by Polish contractor PZL Mielec, a subsidiary of the US defense company Lockheed Martin. Ten more units are expected in early 2021.
The 16 Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, costing a total of P12.1 billion, replaced Canada’s canceled contract for 16 Bell 412EP helicopters from Canada.
In 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte canceled an agreement to purchase Bell 412EPI combat utility helicopters from Canada, which raised concerns that the helicopters could be used in counterinsurgency operations in the Philippines.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana admitted that he was unhappy with the cancellation of the contract at first.
“I was very, very unhappy. That it came when it was supposed to be implemented was doubly frustrating, ”he said in his speech. He put them back where they started, he said.
“We were running against time before we lost money on other projects,” he said.
But Lorenzana said it turned out to be good in the end: “We got a better deal with this plane. Not only is it more powerful, more payload and longer range, we get them cheaper … The procurement process was also very fast and smooth. “
Lorenzana said the PAF has expressed interest in acquiring 16 more units of Black Hawk helicopters.
“The chances of that happening are really great. Then we’ll see, ”he said.
The new Black Hawk helicopters would power the old Huey helicopters and a handful of Bell 412 helicopters from the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing.
The Defense department previously said it was also interested in acquiring surplus Huey helicopters from South Korea.
Transport helicopters are crucial in Philippine military operations. They are primarily used for transporting troops and cargo, medical evacuation, resupply, search and rescue, limited close air support, and disaster assistance.
/ MUF
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